Understanding Gemstones: Synthetic, Simulated, and Created

When looking for diamond or gemstone jewelry, simulants and synthetics are sure to capture your attention. These stunning jewels are typically far less expensive than natural stones, although they might appear identical. You might be curious about what these stones are and how they differ from their natural counterparts. If so, you are in luck! Today we'll go over the differences between natural, synthetic, and simulant gemstones so you can make the best decision for you!

Natural Gemstone

A natural gemstone is exactly what it sounds like: any gemstone created by nature. Many jewels, such as diamonds and rubies, are generated by the earth, whereas pearls and abalone are formed within mollusks and oysters. All of these processes are "natural" since humans did not participate in them.

These natural processes are typically exceedingly slow and only occur under ideal conditions. Furthermore, after a natural gem has formed, it is usually extracted by extensive mining methods. Natural pearls must be collected underwater, and no oyster is guaranteed to contain pearls.

In fact, it is difficult to locate truly natural pearls on the market these days. That's because discovering and harvesting wild oysters is so difficult and labor-intensive that it's hardly done nowadays. Instead, pearls are "cultured" on farms, as seen in the great majority of jewelry stores today. Cultured pearls are identical to natural pearls, with the exception of their "seed." In nature, an irritant just enters the oyster, initiating the pearl-producing process. On a pearl farm, the "seed" is surgically implanted, but there is no guarantee that a pearl will form.

All of these qualities considerably increase the value of real gemstones and pearls. Their price represents not just the miracle of their existence, but also the amount of effort required to deliver that jewel to you.

Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, Peridot, Ruby etc are some examples of natural gemstone.

Synthetic Gemstones: Lab-created

Synthetic gemstones have the same chemical and physical properties as genuine gemstones, but they are not generated naturally. Instead, current science and technology are used to make gemstones in a laboratory! That is why synthetic gemstones are also known as "lab-created" gemstones.

If you enjoy flawless jewels, synthetic or lab-created gems may be right for you! This is because laboratory settings can be absolutely perfect, allowing the gemstone to grow without interference from impurities or abrupt changes in pressure and temperature. The end result is an ideal stone—at a fraction of the cost!

That being said, many individuals enjoy having inclusions in their diamonds. They can provide a sense of individuality to natural gemstones, such as emeralds, which are rarely encountered without them. Fortunately, lab-created gems can also have inclusions. This way, you can have the natural look without the natural cost!

Today, labs can grow practically every gemstone under the sun, including diamonds, so they are certainly worth investigating. Synthetics can provide larger carat sizes, higher quality, and a wider choice of colors at a lesser price.

Blue Sapphire, Synthetic gemstones are examples of synthetic gemstones.

Simulated Gemstones

A simulant is not the same as a synthetic, but people frequently mix the two concepts. A simulant resembles a particular stone but is not chemically equivalent. For example, both a natural and a synthetic emerald are emeralds. The only distinction between them is the way they were constructed. An emerald simulant is not the same as an emerald. It is merely a green stone that resembles an emerald. Simulants are often known as "imitation" stones.

Cubic zirconia (CZ) is probably the best-known simulant today, as it is frequently used to simulate the appearance of a diamond. However, a CZ is not a diamond. These two sparkling diamonds are formed of entirely different minerals and exhibit numerous visual variations. In truth, CZ is a totally synthetic gem in its own right—because it is created wholly in a laboratory—but it is not a synthetic diamond.

Many colorless stones have been utilized as diamond simulants over the years due to the exorbitant cost of good-quality diamonds. White sapphires, zircon, white topaz, and even glass have been used as inexpensive imitation diamonds.

Moissanite is currently a very popular diamond simulant. Moissanite, like CZ, is a fully laboratory-grown gemstone—at least on Earth! Meteorites contain extremely rare pieces of natural moissanite, which you will not find at your local jewelry store.

The advantages of simulants are comparable to those of synthetics: you may achieve the desired look for less! The hardness and durability of a simulant will most likely differ from that of a natural or synthetic stone. This might be positive or negative, depending on your needs.

Say you like the beauty of opal but are concerned about having to be careful with it. A far more lasting opal simulant might be ideal for you! However, no simulant can match the durability of a genuine or synthetic diamond. Diamonds are at the top of the Mohs hardness scale, followed by CZ (8-8.5) and moissanite (9.25).

Choose what is best for you

Determine what you want. Which will fit on you and how much budget you have. The following may help you to make the best decision.

• Budget: Natural gemstones are usually the most expensive due to their scarcity and natural creation. Synthetic gemstones are less expensive than natural gemstones, and simulants are frequently the cheapest because they are designed to look like natural gemstones.
• Desired Aesthetics:  Natural gemstones have distinct qualities and faults that some people value for their authenticity and scarcity. Synthetic gemstones are designed to be perfect and may lack natural variations. Simulants are created to resemble natural gemstones, although they may not have the same chemical makeup or physical qualities.
• Ethical Considerations: Natural gemstone mining can have environmental and social consequences, making synthetic gemstones a more environmentally responsible option. Simulants, being man-made and frequently created under controlled conditions, have a lower environmental impact than natural gemstones.
• Quality Assurance: Reliable jewelers issue certificates of authenticity for both real and synthetic gemstones, ensuring transparency about their origins and quality. Simulants are usually plainly marked as such, showing that they are not genuine gemstones but rather imitations.
• Customization: Many jewelers provide customisation possibilities for natural and synthetic gemstones, allowing you to design unique pieces of jewelry. Simulants can also be employed in custom jewelry designs to achieve specific aesthetic goals while keeping costs down.

When making a decision, consider your preferences for authenticity, price limits, ethical concerns about environmental impact, and the look you want in your jewelry. Each variety of gemstone has distinct traits and benefits, so choose depending on what best suits your values and interests.

Conclusion

Finally, it all comes down to personal preference! If you want to learn more or need help making a decision, we'd be happy to help! We can even display actual, synthetic, and simulated gemstones side by side for simple comparison. Please visit our website or contact us for more information.

Visit Mangtum LLC’s online store to browse our exquisite collection of synthetic, simulated, and created gemstones. Our expertly crafted jewelry ensures both beauty and integrity, making every piece a timeless treasure.